The Book of Enoch is not in the Bible because it was not recognized as inspired Scripture by the Jewish or Christian authorities who determined the biblical canon. Although it was widely read in some ancient Jewish circles and is quoted in the New Testament (Jude 14-15), early church leaders and Jewish rabbis did not consider it authoritative or consistent with the rest of Scripture. It was excluded from the Jewish Tanakh and the Christian Old and New Testament canons primarily because it was written later, contains material that contradicts established Scripture, and was not widely accepted or affirmed by the apostles or early church councils. Only the Ethiopian Orthodox Church includes it in their biblical canon. In summary, the book was not included because it failed the key biblical canon criteria: apostolic authorship or endorsement, doctrinal harmony, and broad acceptance by the faith community.
Reasons for Exclusion
- The book was likely composed in the centuries before and after Christ, after the closure of the Old Testament canon.
- It was never designated as inspired by Jesus or the apostles.
- Its theological content, such as detailed stories about fallen angels, was at odds with mainstream Jewish and Christian teaching.
- Manuscript evidence shows far fewer copies compared to recognized biblical books, indicating less acceptance.
- Early church fathers valued it for historical or theological insight but did not treat it as Scripture.
- It is part of the Ethiopian Orthodox canon, a unique exception.
Biblical Canon Criteria It Failed
- Written or endorsed by an apostle or prophet recognized as authoritative.
- Consistent with established Scripture.
- Accepted widely by the community of faith.
Thus, the book of Enoch remains an important historical and religious document but is not considered part of the biblical canon outside of the Ethiopian tradition.
